Activities
Our Objectives
VERDI’s activities are organised along seven operational scientific objectives, four of which (Objectives 1-4) are core scientific objectives, and three (Objectives 5-7) are supporting objectives:
- To track and characterise SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and mpox in paediatric and pregnant populations and other high risk populations across the globe.
- To rapidly advance the understanding of effects of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and mpox, in particular concerning the potential differential effects on transmission, severity of COVID-19 disease and treatment, and vaccine effectiveness; and to describe the clinical features, treatments and risk factors for severe disease in children and adults with mpox infection.
- To model the outcomes and impacts of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and mpox.
- To develop evidence-based and robust recommendations for control of COVID-19 and mpox, including vaccination and treatment options strategies.
- To support and facilitate data and information-sharing across existing cohorts.
- To coordinate and align efforts with other relevant EU-funded projects, initiatives and research consortia.
- To develop and implement plans for the sustained operational readiness of the cohorts, to foster global research preparedness and response capacity for future infectious disease outbreaks of public health concern.
What we do
Click on a Work Package to learn more about its responsibilities and activities.
Work Package 1 is responsible for ensuring successful project oversight, management and coordination. Its work encompasses supervising operations, implementing day-to-day work plans and ensuring that all project deliverables and milestones are delivered on time. It also focuses on quality assurance, risk management, and compliance with the European Commission's requirements.
WP1 is led by University of Padua, in collaboration with Penta Foundation and University College London.
Work Package 2 is responsible for tracking SARS-CoV2 variants and mpox cases in paediatric, pregnant and other high risk populations, through the establishment of a global network of laboratories and a virtual biobank for virological and immunological assessment.
WP2 is led by University College London, in collaboration with University of Antwerp and support from Penta Foundation, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie and University of Liège.
Work Package 3's aim is to understand how SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern influence the severity of COVID-19 disease and treatment outcomes, transmission, and treatment and vaccination strategies for children and pregnant women, as well as to understand the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of patients with mpox in VERDI cohorts.
WP3 is led by University College London, with participation of all VERDI cohorts and in collaboration with UMCU, Penta, ISI, SU, MU, CMU, GHESKIO, UNIBAS, UKBB, UO, Pedianet and UTARTU.